Bowdoinham board OKs severance deal, starts manager search
April 08, 2011
BOWDOINHAM — The Bowdoinham Board of Selectmen agreed Tuesday on a severance package for former town manager Kathy Durgin-Leighton and voted to hire a consultant to help search for a new town manager.
According to chairman Brian Hobart, selectmen unanimously approved his motion “to approve a total of nine months severance for ... Durgin-Leighton, $25,000 of which will be paid by April 8, 2011 and the balance to be paid on or before July 15, 2011.”
Selectmen then met in executive session with Donald Gerrish, a development consultant for Eaton Peabody Consulting Group and former Brunswick town manager. After the discussion, the board voted 3-0 to authorize Hobart to sign a contract with Eaton Peabody for consulting services, which will cost $5,000.
Hobart said Gerrish will help selectmen hire a new town manager by guiding the search process. Hobart said the position should be advertised as soon as this week through three professional organizations, including the Maine Municipal Association and International City/County Management Association.
Hobart said selectmen hope to have a new town manager in place by July 1.
On an interim basis, Janet Smith, who has been working part time in the town office, will complete the duties of town manager on a part-time basis. On Monday, selectmen appointed Smith to serve as Bowdoinham’s interim tax collector and treasurer.
During their meeting Tuesday, selectmen also appointed Dave Lewis as emergency management director and Nate Drummond as a Planning Board alternate.
Selectmen met in executive session to discuss a real estate issue before adjourning the meeting.
Courtesy of The Times Record
By Darcie Moore, Times Record Staff